Opiyo Wandayi defends G-to-G fuel deal, faults Gachagua over criticism
By Kenneth Mwenda, May 17, 2026Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has defended the government-to-government (G-to-G) fuel importation framework and accused former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of attacking a system he once supported while serving in government.
Speaking on Saturday, May 16, 2026, Wandayi dismissed Gachagua’s recent criticism of the fuel importation deal and challenged him to direct any concerns about fuel and electricity to the Energy Ministry instead of repeatedly mentioning President William Ruto.
“Wewe bwana Wamunyoro. Ulishindwa kazi, na ikalazimishwa bunge ikufukuze kazi,” Wandayi said during a public address.
The Energy CS said he was ready to respond to claims made by Gachagua concerning the petroleum sector.
“I’m the Cabinet Secretary in charge of energy and petroleum. Kama ako na issues concerning this docket, he should face me,” Wandayi said.
He also reminded Gachagua that the G-to-G framework was introduced in 2023 when he was still Deputy President and actively supported the arrangement at the time.
“Hii mambo ya government-to-government framework haikuanzishwa jana. Ilianzishwa 2023, wakati bwana Wamunyoro alikuwa deputy president,” Wandayi said.
According to the CS, Gachagua even took part in receiving the first fuel shipment imported under the arrangement at the Port of Mombasa.
“Na yeye ndiye alikuwa katika mstari wa mbele kwenda kupokea meli ya kwanza ya mafuta under G2G framework kule Mombasa. Inakuwaje sasa G2G ni mbaya?” he posed.
Claims over rising prices
Wandayi’s remarks came a day after Gachagua accused the government and private sector players, including Gulf Energy, of benefiting from high fuel prices at the expense of Kenyans.
During a media briefing before leaving for the United Kingdom, Gachagua described the G-to-G arrangement as a “fraud” and claimed it had failed to shield consumers from rising fuel costs.
“This G-to-G arrangement is a fraud. We were told that it’s supposed to regulate prices and cushion Kenyans from sporadic changes in pricing systems but the price keeps going higher,” Gachagua said.
The former Deputy President argued that Kenya’s fuel prices remain higher than those in neighbouring countries despite importing fuel from the same Middle East suppliers.
He claimed petrol in Kenya was retailing at more than Ksh214 per litre while countries such as Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania were recording lower prices.
Gachagua further claimed that Gulf Energy and individuals linked to the government were making excessive profits from the importation arrangement.
“The prices here are up because President Ruto, his business partners, Gulf Energy are taking too much profit to fleece Kenyans,” he claimed.
He also criticised the government’s decision to allow the importation of fuel containing 50 milligrams of sulphur, saying the move had lowered fuel quality and could affect vehicle engines and the environment.